Effect of Fe Doping on Photocatalytic Dye-Degradation and Antibacterial Activity of SnO <sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles
T. Preethi, K. Senthil, M.P. Pachamuthu, Balakrishnaraja Rengaraju, B. Sundaravel, N. Geetha, Stefano Bellucci
Abstract
A simple hydrothermal method is utilized to synthesize iron-doped tin oxide nanoparticles (Fe-SnO 2 NPs) at various doping concentrations. The structural characterization using XRD, Raman, and FTIR measurements confirmed the incorporation of Fe ions into the SnO 2 lattice without any deviation in the tetragonal crystal system of SnO 2 nanoparticles. SEM and HRTEM images show the spherical-shaped nanoparticles with agglomeration. The values of interplanar spacing ([Formula: see text]-value) calculated from the HRTEM lattice are consistent with the XRD results. Further, optical analysis revealed a red shift in the optical absorption band and a decrease in the band gap energy with an increase in Fe-dopant concentration. The decrease of PL emission peak intensity with Fe doping revealed the generation of singly charged oxygen vacancies. The H 2 O 2 -assisted photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Fe-SnO 2 NPs investigated against crystal violet dye indicated an efficiency of 98% for 0.05 M Fe-SnO 2 NPs within 30 minutes under visible light illumination. In addition, the effects of pH, scavengers, and reusability of the catalyst are tested. The antibacterial behavior of Fe-SnO 2 NPs against Escherichia coli is examined by using the colony count method, and the inhibition rate was found to be 49, 65, 70, and 78% for pure, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05 M Fe-SnO 2 NPs, respectively.